The Intelligence of Animals

For the last two weeks we have been visited by the huge black bear that winters on our land. We live in New York on 25 acres of land in a rural, mountainous area. Most of the time it is fairly peaceful here, but each spring the bear wakes up, heads down the mountain, and destroys all of the feeders that we have for birds. Our land is a bird haven and so we have numerous types of foods including sunflower seed, corn, suet, thistle, and a pond with fish for the migrating birds (herons, ducks, etc). The bear really likes the sunflower seed but will eat whatever is available. Several nights ago he ran off up the hill with a fairly large tin of corn. George, my husband, has strung some of the feeders on wires (hung between trees) so that the bear cannot reach them. A pulley system is used to haul the feeders in for reloading. What has to be weighed is the pleasure of seeing the birds vs. the destructiveness of the bear. He (could be a she but there aren't any cubs, so it is most likely a he) is quite bold, as he has been up on the porch tearing down porch feeders and leaving a big muddy footprint. My daughter and I watched him in front of the house several nights ago.

Our dog, Wegman, has learned to use tools. Over the winter he sleeps in our laundry/entry area which is adjacent to the kitchen. We put up a baby gate to keep him in the sleeping area at night. Using his nose, he quickly learned to take the gate down. Next we tried putting a bookcase in front of the gate, but he proceeded to remove the gate and use it as a lever to push aside the bookcase. What finally worked was putting a sack of salt (large, heavy sack for a water conditioner) against the bookcase to add more weight - that worked, but Wegman got his revenge by barking a good portion of each night.

Since the bear has been out and about, Wegman is in his glory (he is part hound) and he spends his nights out running about and barking at a high pitch. Unable to sleep last night, George finally put Wegman in the garage (he has a summer bed in the garage and has a doggie flap door that allows him to come and go as he pleases). Over the flap, George placed the metal door that is designed to cover it for the purpose of keeping the dog inside. George didn't lock the metal door because he thought that would not be necessary. Thinking we were finally all set for the night, we settled down (at 1:30 a.m.) to try to get some sleep. Bark - bark - bark - bark; Wegman used his nose to lift up the metal door and ran back outside to track the bear. Tonight the metal door is locked securely and so we are hoping for a good night's rest.

Believe this - animals are super smart. Another time I will relate how our rooster saved himself from a fox by flying up to the door and banging on it.

Sleep tight; sweet dreams.